I don't want to make this too long

If you'd like a full update of what's going on you can go to my Live Journal and view my long entry there with all the information you'd want. The button is on the right side and is named Being Brianne.

For the short version, here goes.

We went in for an ultrasound on Monday and the results weren't good. At that time I was 9 weeks 3 days pregnant and the baby was measuring at 6 weeks 6 days. They couldn't find a heartbeat, which at that age the baby would have had one. The doctor told me to come back in a week for another ultrasound and to come in when I started bleeding.

Right now I'm basically waiting for Monday, for another ultrasound, since I haven't had any bleeding. At that point they'll see what's going on and then we'll go from there.

It's been an incredibly difficult week. I've had two other miscarriages, one earlier this year, and each time it affects me more and more.

I've been doing more therapy knitting. It's a blessing right now. The therapy blanket from the move is still in the craft closet, but Owen's sweater is coming along nicely and is perfect for therapy knitting since it's straight stockinette stitch. I'm doing the arm shaping right now and am almost done. I'm planning on doing both sleeves at once, which Bryan was very impressed with. Hopefully I'll have it done after this weekend.

I'll try to keep the blog somewhat updated with what's going on. If Monday goes how the doctor's think it will, Bryan will probably update again for me. I can't help but hope for some kind of miracle from God, but I also can't help but face reality.

Sad News...

Hello everyone. This is Bryan, Brianne's husband. We just found out this afternoon that our baby that we have been expecting is likely miscarried. Needless to say, it's a tough time for us all, and Brianne may not be posting for a few days. She asked me to post just in case anyone would be concerned. Thank you all for your prayers over the next few days.

The goals! They are accomplished!

Oh, how I love saying that. It's like a babbling brook dancing at my feet. Like a cool breeze of wind carressing my skin on a hot day. Or it could just be a FO that I'm so thankful is done and ready to be shipped! Either way, it's wonderful!

I finished the twirl throw yesterday afternoon and promptly finished weaving in ends (which wasn't hard since I do it as I go) and then gave it a bath. May I just say that it was a bit of a nervewracking experience. The only other FO that I've really had to wash was the French Market Bag and that was felted. There hasn't really been anything else that needed washing and blocking, so it wasn't on my worry radar. Now it is. I admit that I hesitated before putting it in the water, but steeled my nerves and did it anyways.

3 tubs full of water later I finally got clear water! Uh, that was unnerving!!! I almost cried when I first started swishing the alpaca around and creamy stuff started coming off of it. Owen thought it was absolutly hilarious that there was a blanket in the tub and started putting his bath toys in with it. Surely the throw would appreciate a tug boat that toots it's horn when put in the water!

After much gentle wringing the throw was laid out on the guest bed (which first covered with a heavy quilt) and blocked slightly. It was then that I noticed how much bigger the thing had gotten! It seriously added about 2 full feet to the width! Not a problem. We're still cool.

By this afternoon, after about 24 hours in a smallish room with a ceiling fan on high, the throw was completely dry and beautiful! I was thrilled to fold it up, place the lavendar sachet in it's folds and get it ready to mail out.

It's a great day here! Tell me about your newest FO!

And at risk of making this way too long, I have a question. I think I have this figured out, but I'd love confirmation.

I swatched for my sister's Christmas tank top and though I'm right on for stitches I'm too big for rows. The gauge is 33 rows and I'm at 29. I know there's not really a way to fix the rows without completely messing with stitches, but I can change the rows in the pattern. Here's how I think I do this.

29 divided by 33 gives me .87, rounded up to .9 . If I take the number of rows in the pattern and multiply by . that should give me the amount of rows I need to work. So rather than doing 10 rows, I should do 9 rows.

Is my math right???

Is it done yet?

Please? Let the blanket be finished! Oh, I'm on the 10th skein now? Just 1/2 a skein to go and then washing and blocking? Okay. I think I can handle that.

I worked for 2 hours on the twirl blanket yesterday and for an hour this morning. I am just determined to have this thing done by tonight! For one thing, the wedding is on Saturday, and though I know it won't get to California by then, I'd like for it to be there by the time they get back from their honeymoon! And secondly, I'm so tired of this blanket that I could scream. If I hadn't spent over $100 on the yarn I would have scrapped it long ago and bought them a set of bed linens or something. Finally, I'd really love to get back to workin on Owen's sweater. Though the weather hasn't cooled to where it normally is at this time of year, I know it will shortly and I'd love to have him wearing that sweater!

My goal: Finish knitting the blanket this afternoon during Owen's nap. Wash and block. Keep the fan on it all night and probably all tomorrow as well. Ship the stupid gift on Friday while I'm out at my OB appointment and running errands.

I think I need a cheerleader or something!

Happy (Belated) Birthday to me!

Yesterday was my birthday!!! It was a good celebration weekend and to show you why (and to distract you from an unfinished twirl throw) I give you pictures!

We went to Silver Dollar City for the first time on Saturday and spent the day walking around. I found displays and demonstrations on spinning and weaving! It was incredible!



Mom and I both couldn't help but spend a great deal of time hanging around those booths. Mom even picked out some hand spun, hand dyed 100% wool from one of the women. It will become her Christmas present, also known as her own French Market Bag. It is 8 oz of wool, and I'm thinking that I may need to find a coordinating color, just in case it requires a little more than what I have.

Silver Dollar City was very scenic and I loved the views. It is my first time in the presence of fall color and I'm very much entranced by what I see!

We're making progress!

Why am I saying we? I think I automatically pluralize myself when I'm pregnant! LOL!

So Baby and I are making good progress on Ashley & Glenn's Twirl Throw. We've almost finished skein 8 and will be starting on skein 9 tonight. My goal is to have it finished and ready to mail by Monday morning. I know I'll have the knitting done by Saturday night, but I'd like to wash and block it so that it's ready for use as soon as it's received. I purchased a wonderful smelling Lavendar sachet from Bath & Body works to put in the package. Yay!

Thank you, Heatherly, for the great references on dpns! I'm going to frog the start of my sock and start over once I've finished the Twirl Throw. I'm really looking forward to mastering the art of dpns and actually being able to knit in the round with them!

I'm also very ready to get back to work on Owen's sweater. With the deadline of the wedding gift looming I've been forced to set it aside. So it's been sitting in my very cute French Market Bag just waiting for me to pick it up again.

Oh, and speaking of deadlines! Mom let me know that my sister, Heather, is going to be coming to visit for Christmas... but an early Christmas. Yikes! It looks like I'll be starting on her Soleil tank sooner rather than later. Though now I've uncovered my Cool Crochet book and it has some great tanks in there and crochet is definitely faster than knitting for me. So I have some decisions to make now! (And quick.)

One last thing... can I say just how thrilled I am that Mr. Drew Emborsky, The Crochet Dude himself, is reading and commenting on my blog?! Hello, Dude!

As promised and long overdue

Pictures.

Ah, but where are they???? Blogger has decided that it doesn't want to post my pictures, even if they are of yummy yarn and finished projects. Harumph.

So today I shall be asking the age old question...

How the heck do you knit with dpns? I somewhat successfully cast on a pair of socks last night. (Yes, I had that big talk with myself about finishing Ashley's blanket. Yes, she's getting married in like 2 weeks and I need to mail it to her before that. I just can't look at that blanket for a day or two. Don't judge me!) It was like trying to eat with chow mein with too many chopsticks. I have no idea how to do this! I kind of improvised and somehow got the right number of stitches onto each needle and then started the top ribbing.... but it doesn't quite look right. I have a bit of the ladder thing going on between the needles and the stuff that I cast on is really loose.

Does anyone know where I can find a really good tutorial on this? Would anyone like to make a really good tutorial on this and then tell me it's on their website? Would anyone like to make my son breakfast so I can do some laundry? No one? Off to the kitchen, then!

I love my mail carrier!

She's incredibly pleasant... and she brings me wonderful gifties in the mail. Today was one of those days! My order from KnitPicks came in. It was a heavier box than usual because it included some books that I have been dying to get my hands on. I've got "Last Minuted Knitted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson on the couch next to me and "50 Baby Bootees to Knit" by Zoe Mellor will be on my lap next.

I'm so thrilled!

Oh, and color samples of yarn were ordered and in the box as well. I love being able to see all of the colors in person and feel the yarn. This is great!

Tonight I'll be downloading the pictures from my camera, so there shall be visual goodness for you! Yay!



Okay, on a side note.... I know that there is a huge group of you out there who is totally in love with Cotton Ease and have set aside a skein or two to be put in your casket with you. I must admit that I have tried this yarn, and I don't care for it. Maybe it's just because I tend to knit and crochet a little tighter than some, but it doesn't feel good on my hook or needles.

With that being said, I've decided to offer up my 5 skeins of Cotton Ease for sale or trade. I have 2 skeins of Pistachio, 2 skeins of Pineapple and 1 skein of Sugarplum. Make me an offer! I do so love a good deal!

I'd be happy to supply you with Dye Lot numbers, if you are looking for one in particular, or pictures if that floats your boat!

My Secret Pal Spoiler Strikes Again!

I must say that I've been totally blessed by this Secret Pal of mine. She's just incredible and I'm feeling so spoiled it's ridiculous! Another package has arrived at the Keene household and once again I'm a lucky girl.

Take a peek inside my spoiling! There's Vogue Kid Knits, Dark Chocolate in several forms (I didn't waste any time in sampling), the hooded sweatshirt I'm totally going to make for Owen from the Vogue book, the beautiful hydrangea from her last gift (I loooove this plant!) and some beautiful Rowan Cashsoft Baby in a blue that I can't help but adore and a crochet hook that feels decadent. I've already ordered a little more of the Rowan Cashsoft in order to make something with it... the ripple shawl as posted earlier! And I'm so in love with the look and feel of the yarn, that I bought some of the Rowan Cotton to make a Christmas gift for my sister. (I'm thinking the Soliel tank from Knitty?)

I found the Rowan yarn at The Knitting Garden, which is a beautiful site full of beautiful yarn. They have a great variety including Debbie Bliss, GGH, Jaeger and more. I'd love to try the Debbie Bliss. I love her designs so much that I'd love to make something of her's with the yarn it was designed with.

On the knitting front, I bound off on the front panel of Owen's sweater and have cast on and knitted an inch or so on the back. Overall, this has been rather easy and I enjoyed shaping the front panel. I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out. I know that it's going to be too big for him right now, but it will definately last him through the fall and winter and possibly through next fall. I think that my next project for him will be more of a jacket or cardigan?

There has been no knitting on Ashley & Glenn's twirl throw. I'm much too into Owen's sweater at this point. Yes, I really should be working on it. Yes, their wedding is only like 19 days away. Yes, I need to finish up the skeins (5) I have so that I can order more if needed. Okay! Okay! Enough pressure, people! I'll work on it tomorrow. *wink*

Am I sensitive to Alpaca? I think I might be. Twirl is like 95% Alpaca and 5% cotton and it makes my eyes water a bit and the roof of my mouth itch. Yes, my typical allergic responses to things. Another good reason to finish up this project!

Tomorrow's entry will include pictures of Owen's sweater in progress and a new addition to our family!

I have one word for you...

tasty

I love finding all these different kinds of yarn! It's like my eyes are being opened to what is out there in the world of fibre.

I need to start thinking of Christmas gifts. Yes, I know it's a little late for that, but you try packing up your house and moving 1,500 miles in 12 days and see how much of Christmas you think about. Survival, people. That's all that's on your mind. Surviving with your sense of humor intact.

Christmas, here I come!

Moment of weakness inspiration

I bought some of this in order to make this.

It's going to be beautiful! *uses the sheer power of my will to make my order to arrive quickly!*

I love these colors

Peace Fleece

So so so great! I'm ordering two skeins of the Chickie Masla color to do a pair of baby booties in and to experiment with. I'll let you know what I think!

Patterns for future reference

Crocheted:

Socks

iPod Cozy

Baby Wrap Sweater

Book Thong

Rose Bath Pouf

Privacy Wrap

Bath Mitt

Triangle Shawl

Ripple Shawl


Knitted:

Samus (Sweater)

Leo (Sweater)

Mariah (Cardigan)

Sonnet (Cardigan)

Petrol (Vest)

Mariposa (Tank Top)

Peekaboob (Tank Top)

Sigma (Tank Top)

Soleil (Tank Top)

Clapotis (Scarf/Wrap)

Cozy (Wrap)

French Market Bag

Satchel (Messenger Bag)

Tasha (Bag)

Anouk (Baby Dress)

Haiku (Child's Cardigan)

Lace Panelled Baby Blanket

Leaf Trim Shawl

Cutaway (Cardigan)

Bigfoot Socks



Okay, enough for now! My vision is getting blury!

Progress!

I have about 6" done on Owen's sweater. The Wool of the Andes has been good to work with and is knitting up nicely. I love the color and think it will look great on Owen. His eyes are like Bryan's and change between green and hazel.

As soon as I can find the cable for my camera I'll post some pictures! I have pictures from my Secret Pal's package and some of my French Market Bag.

Oh! Speaking of the French Market Bag... I got such a thrill yesterday! I went down to Branson to spend the morning with Mom & Dad (see my personal journal if you'd like to read about that day in full... it was "fun") and of course brought Owen's sweater with me. It was a good thing because I had plenty of time to work on it! I brought it in my French Market Bag and Mom loved the bag. Here's how the conversation went:

Mom: "Oh! I love that bag! I saw it at your house on moving day and wondered where you got it. Did you get it at a craft fair? I showed it to your Dad because I told him that I wanted one. How much was it? I guessed $50, but I could be wrong. Did you keep the name of who you bought it from?" (Mom was talking very fast. She does that when she's excited.)

Me: "Um, Mom? I made that!"

Mom: "What? How?!"

Me: "Well, I bought wool and needles and then I made it."

Mom: "I want one! Make me one!"

Me: "Merry Christmas!"

You can imagine what a thrill that was for me! My Mom is very crafty and handy, the general consensus being that if you handed her an instruction manual she could perform brain surgery. She's crocheted blankets, quilted everything from quilts to pillows, tole paints like a professional, and has made several beautiful filet crochet items. So for her to make that comment to me made me so proud!

And now... on a different note:


You are bamboo.
Warm, cozy, and thoughtful, you take your time and
enjoy how things feel, smell, and taste. You
love the craft and beauty of traditional
things, and you value the comfort and
experience of knitting as much as the results.
But while you are reveling in your warm cozies,
don't get stuck. Warm is wonderful, but so is
the whole wide world!


What kind of knitting needles are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

My first sweater!

I'm so sick of boring, plain, garter stitch that I could pass out. So I decided to put aside my green therapy blanket that I started the day that we moved here, and still work on Ashley & Glenn's wedding gift... but to start on a sweater for Owen!

The yarn: Wool of the Andes from KnitPicks

The pattern: Stocking Stitch Sweater from Debbie Bliss' Baby Style

The color: Chestnut

The size: 3T (I figure it'll last him through this winter and perhaps into next fall if I'm really lucky.)

Yes, it's not exactly brain surgery. Just Stockinette Stitch and raglan sleeves... but it's something I've never done and I'm looking for a bit of a challenge. However, I don't want so much challenge that I shudder at the thought of sweaters. Nope. So this is a great compromise for me. If it goes well, I'll try a more detailed sweater for Owen. And if that doesn't make me cry, then I'll make something for Bryan.

It's a plan!

I made my swatch to test the gauge and I'm dead even! Love it! So I have cast on my 70 stitches and have stockinetted for 7 rows. Only 9" from cast on to go!

I'm proud of myself. Yay me!

Before I go to bed...

My Secret Pal has received my first package of spoiledness and she was pleased! I'm already trying to figure out what my next package will contain. So much fun!!!

I just finished skein 4 of 10 on Ashley's Twirl Blanket. It's really turning out nicely and I hope that she appreciates it. It took me a while to figure out the whole hanks thing. I don't exactly have a winder... besides myself... and so I've had to work it out on my own. Finally today I untwisted it into the big long oval, and then put that around my neck and wind from there. It sounds somewhat hilarious... but it totally worked! I managed to wind a ball in 5 minutes, compared to 20 minutes. I may be on to some amazing system and everyone will be doing this soon. I totally see it. ;)

How much fun would this be?!

I was doing some yarn investigating when I came upon this amazing thing that I so would love to do! How could someone pass this up? (Except for the money issue, of course.)

I ordered some yarn from KnitPicks and it arrived! There are 10 skeins of Twirl in Cream, a few skeins of something for my Secret Pal, 8 skeins of Wool of the Andes in Chestnut for Owen's sweater, and 3 skeins of sock yarn in blues and greens that I can't remember the name of.

I'm making up the Twirl into a luxe blanket for my cousin who is getting married at the end of October. I already realize that I will probably need more yarn for this, making it more expensive than originally intended, but she's worth it!

I also found one of two lys only about 15 minutes away from me in Springfield. The first will probably be my favorite and it is called Simply Fibre (I think?), located on S. Campbell. The ladies in there were wonderful and very helpful. The store itself is adorable and jam packed with so much yarn it was dizzying! I found a great beginner's sock pattern and some dpns for it. I also found two more skeins of yarn for my Secret Pal that I almost kept for myself, but couldn't bring myself to do it!

By the way, have I mentioned how sweet Bryan is? I was trying to find some of the TLC Amore in Light Sage since I knew that I would need more, so one day this week after work he went on a search to find more for me! Hobby Lobby didn't have it, neither did Simply Fibre (which I could have told him, but he was surprising me), and I think he finally found it at Michael's. Bryan came home victoriously with 4 more skeins in hand and made my day by giving me the spoils of his conquest along with an iPod for my birthday hidden among the yarn. I tell you, I'm the luckiest girl around!!!!!

Good morning, world!

I'm pregnant! *grins*

Hello, fellow knitters of Missouri!

Bryan just called to let me know that he was on his way home. He overheard a few ladies at work talking about knitting and he piped in to let them know that his fabulous, amazing, wonderful wife knits as well. Apparently, he directed them to this blog... sooooo...


Hello, knitting ladies of New Horizons!


I'm not sure if you have heard, but there's a little group of women who get together and knit once a month. Their last meeting was September 10th and they met at Zio's. I was unfortunately unable to go at the time, but I'll let you know when the next meeting is set for and perhaps we can grow their group a bit!

I love finding knitters. *grins*

Picture time!

Here are a couple of older pictures. (By older I mean, "from August.)

For your viewing pleasure, courtesy of my not screwed up anymore computer:

This is from our trip to Petco Park in beautiful our-home-at-that-time San Diego. It was Owen's very first professional baseball game and our first time at Petco Park. Bryan really enjoyed having Owen on his lap, pointing out all the players and what they did. Owen especially liked when the players ran and slid in the dirt. That was very hilarious to the almost 2 year old. I brought in the beginnings of my French Market Bag from Knitty and thoroughly enjoyed being able to knit and watch baseball at the same time. Fantastic! I also learned that I could totally knit and hold a sleeping toddler concurrently. The picture on the far right is me doing just that. They grey topped by green is Owen's behind. *grins*